FMRV | Chapter 18

Eastern Border Region of the Heinern Empire.

The Imperial Army, the ultimate embodiment of Heinern’s military strength, was divided into branches across the east, west, south, and north, with the largest concentration of forces naturally stationed at the capital headquarters. At the eastern division, soldiers diligently kept watch over the border, just as they did every day.

Until recently, tensions with the Kingdom of Memvern had kept everyone on edge. However, with the likelihood of further conflict diminishing, the atmosphere had noticeably relaxed.

“Good work out there!”

“Oh, thanks. Shift change?”

“Yes!”

A junior soldier, standing at attention, prepared for the shift change with unwavering focus.

“Wait, weren’t you supposed to be on patrol today? Wasn’t it supposed to be Cain instead?”

As he handed over his gear to the newcomer, the senior soldier tilted his head in confusion. Come to think of it, there hadn’t been any junior soldiers listed on today’s watch schedule. During wartime, it was standard practice to assign mid-level or higher-ranked soldiers to patrol duties.

“Ah, Cain has been taken off the watch schedule for this week. That’s why I was sent in his place.”

It seemed they were gradually allowing junior soldiers to rotate into the schedule now that wartime protocols were easing.

“Oh, right. Because of that incident, huh? Cain got into a scuffle with a civilian during his leave, didn’t he?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“Honestly, it wasn’t even his fault, but we’re the ones who always take the blame just because we’re soldiers. You better be careful too. There are more civilians these days who don’t respect the military and get overly sensitive. If you get caught up in something, it’ll be a real mess.”

“Yes, sir! I’ll be careful!”

The junior soldier saluted stiffly, his nerves evident. Amused by his subordinate’s earnestness, the senior soldier stealthily handed over a cookie he’d been hiding in his pocket.

“Good luck out there.”

“Thank you, sir!”

The junior soldier stared at the cookie with delight, waiting for his superior to leave before unwrapping the treat and popping it into his mouth. Midnight snacks always tasted the best. He hurriedly shoved the rest into his mouth, worried someone might catch him.

But perhaps he shouldn’t have been so hasty. The cookie caught in his throat, and he pounded on his chest to clear it.

Jing—

Just then, the magical detection crystal in the center of the watch area emitted a faint glow.

“Phew, almost died there. Huh?”

Having just recovered, the soldier turned his attention to the faint sensation he’d noticed. The crystal was already still, its glow fading into nothingness.

Meanwhile, at the Imperial Headquarters.

“Philip, here’s next month’s watch schedule for the supply warehouse. Take it to the administrative division.”

“Yes, sir!”

Theo had been up early, immersed in administrative work. Typically, commanders like him would draft initial schedules and pass them to the administrative division, which would then finalize the rosters.

The divisions under commanders like Luke, Theo, and others from the 1st to 9th units, as well as special task forces, were collectively known as “active units.” The administrative division handled military paperwork and was generally less exposed to danger, making it a haven for those unsuited to front-line duties or recovering from injuries.

“By the way, Commander, I heard you caught a thief at the square yesterday.”

“That’s right.”

“Wow, that person sure was lucky. To think Commander Theo was there at just the right time.”

The soldiers of the 1st Division idolized Theo. So much so that members of other units often joked that the 1st Division was Theo’s personal fan club.

“There are patrol guards on the streets at all times. Even if I hadn’t been there, the thief would’ve been caught.”

Philip chuckled, seemingly pleased with his commander’s modesty.

“But, Commander, why were you at the Ludrain Square in the first place?”

Philip, being an avid admirer of Theo, knew that he rarely ventured out unless absolutely necessary. Hearing that Theo had gone out, let alone to Ludrain Square, was more surprising than the fact that he’d caught a thief.

“Oh, that…”

Theo put down his pen, briefly lost in thought. Yesterday, he’d followed Luke to the square. Though reluctant at first, he couldn’t back down after boldly declaring to Veil that he would personally oversee Luke’s monitoring. So, Theo had gone along and spent the day with Luke.

“Commander…?”

“Ah, sorry.”

Snapping out of his thoughts, Theo straightened up.

“I was just accompanying Commander Luke as his assigned monitor.”

“Ah, I see.”

It was already common knowledge throughout the military that Theo had been tasked with monitoring Luke. While unconventional for a commander to take on such a role, many soldiers viewed it as an opportunity for Theo to assert dominance over his rival.

Philip, however, felt sorry for Theo. Already overburdened, his workload only seemed to increase.

“Commander, you truly go above and beyond. Even handling tasks you could delegate to your subordinates. I worry you might overwork yourself.”

“A soldier never collapses, no matter what. And Philip, do I strike you as someone likely to falter?”

Philip smiled awkwardly and shook his head.

“Well, at least the monitor has been changed. That’s a relief.”

“…What? Changed? What are you talking about?”

Theo’s pen paused mid-stroke.

“Didn’t you hear, Commander?”

Philip scratched the back of his head, sensing Theo’s unfamiliarity with the situation.

“The administrative division decided to assign a monitor from their unit to Commander Luke.”

“Why?”

“Well… I only heard bits and pieces, but apparently Commander Luke personally requested it from the Commander in Chief. He wanted a new monitor assigned.”

Theo’s expression darkened as his grip on the pen tightened.

“Did they mention why?”

“Not in detail, but Commander Luke reportedly said that having another commander as his monitor wasn’t appropriate.”

Theo sat in silence for a moment, contemplating. Knowing Luke’s personality, the request wasn’t entirely surprising. With his pride, it made sense that Luke disliked being monitored by a peer. But if he hated it so much, why hadn’t he brought it up earlier? When Theo was assigned, Luke had seemed displeased but ultimately agreed.

“Understood. You’re dismissed.”

“Yes, sir!”

Still, Theo decided it wasn’t worth dwelling on. If anything, having one less task was a blessing. Luke’s whims were nothing new, after all.

“So…”

Luke narrowed his eyes at the new monitor sitting stiffly before him.

“You’re my new monitor?”

“Yes, sir!”

The soldier, Fail, responded with rigid formality.

Luke had expected someone from the administrative division after claiming he didn’t want active-unit soldiers monitoring him, but of all people, Fail?

“What’s the higher-ups’ deal, sticking me with you?”

“Well… no one else wanted the assignment… so I volunteered.”

Predictable. Watching over a notorious commander like Luke all day wasn’t exactly an appealing task. Fail had likely been the only volunteer.

“Why didn’t you just focus on settling into your new role in the administrative division? Why get involved in this?”

Luke grumbled, clearly annoyed. Ever since the incident where Luke had handed Fail his reward money, Fail had applied for a transfer to the administrative division. Word was that the money had allowed his mother to receive the medicine she needed, and she was now showing signs of improvement.

“I wanted to repay you, sir.”

“What?”

“I wanted to show my gratitude, somehow.”

Luke blinked, taken aback.

“Go wherever you want or do whatever you want, Commander. I’ll pretend I didn’t see or hear a thing.”

Luke couldn’t help but chuckle at Fail’s earnestness.

“Fine, whatever—”

“Luke, Commander.”

Theo’s sudden arrival cut Luke off.

“Oh, hello, Commander Theo.”

“Move aside.”

Fail hurriedly excused himself, leaving Theo and Luke alone.

“Why did you request a new monitor?”

“You came all this way just to ask that?”

“Answer me.”

Luke sighed, exasperated.

“Well, why were you so insistent on being my monitor in the first place?”

“What?”

“Wasn’t it to keep an eye on me and hold me back? Same reason I didn’t want you.”

Luke shrugged nonchalantly.

“Who in their right mind would want their rival monitoring them? If you thought I’d lost my spirit after being suspended, think again, Theo. I’m not giving up on the Commander in Chief position.”

Theo’s calm demeanor finally cracked. Without another word, Luke brushed past him.

“Luke—”

Before Theo could say more, the alarm crystals scattered throughout the headquarters lit up, emitting a shrill noise. Both their expressions shifted instantly.

“Red…?”

The crystals embedded in the walls glowed crimson. That color meant only one thing:

An invasion. A declaration of war.